Types of Kitchen Lighting
For many modern homes, kitchens are constructed with large windows, sliding glass doors that lead outside or to a patio, and open space to create lightness in the room. Architects love to build kitchens that utilize natural sunlight as much as possible. Unfortunately, older homes may not have bright and airy kitchens. Luckily for you, there are countless options for lighting that will brighten up your kitchen, even on the cloudiest day or at any hour of the night!
Recessed Lights : Many modern homes, apartments, and condos feature recessed kitchen lights. These are any light fixture that is embedded into the ceiling. The lightbulb or light covering is flush or just about flush with the ceiling, while most of the lightbulb is tucked up into it. This type of light fixture can be static or directional. Static versions simple point down to the floor, whereas directional versions can be angled to illuminate various points of the kitchen. Directional recessed lights are typically used on pitched ceilings, or to showcase a particular area of the kitchen such as the stove or countertop.
Surface Lights: Surface lights are the fixtures that lay close to the ceiling but are not recessed into it. Surface lights usually illuminate significantly wide areas because of the bulb coverings they contain. These lights are available in many sizes so you can choose to install one very large fixture, or several smaller ones depending on the shape, size, and layout of your kitchen
Pendant Lights: Pendant lights are those that hang from the ceiling on chains or poles. You will usually find these fixtures hanging over islands or dining tables as a decorative yet functional piece. Pendants are very similar to surface lights, but they hang much lower, bringing more light down to highly-trafficked areas. Islands and tables are typically used for food prep and eating but are also used for homework, reading, and other non-kitchen tasks. Because of this trend, pendant lights have become a popular choice to give more light where it is most needed in a kitchen.
Track Lights: As the name implies, track lighting is set on a track. Tracks come in various shapes and sizes, but the most common is the straight track. Once this piece is wired and mounted, heads containing the bulbs can be mounted anywhere on the track. They can also be angled in different directions to illuminate different parts of the kitchen. Track lights are great for narrow areas as well as central areas that can be used as a mounting point for heads that face in many different directions. For example, if you have a central island, you can install a track lighting system with some heads pointing to the island while others point to the walkways all around it.
Wall Lights: Wall lights are those fixtures that are mounted to a wall rather than the ceiling. Some wall lights stick out from the wall while others lay almost flat against it. The type of head you purchase is dependant on what you want to illuminate. For softer lighting, you can find wall fixtures that cast light up towards the ceiling. For heavily-used areas like over the sink or stove, you can find fixtures that cast the light down to your work station.
Stone archway framing dark wood cabinet with marble counter top in luxury home. Vertical shot.
There are even more examples of kitchen lighting online and in showrooms, but these are the most popular at this time. Each type of light fixture is available in thousands of styles so you can find the perfect light for your kitchen. If you love some of these lighting examples but have nothing to show off in your kitchen, consider installing a gorgeous stone countertop or island from Planet Stone! We offer custom and prefab granite, marble, quartz, and more! With one of our stone surfaces in your home, you’ll have a perfect piece to showcase with one of these lighting techniques. Call today for a free estimate: (818) 860-7142.
